Level 3 Apprentice Teaching Assistant

Polden Bower School; Bridgwater; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 13,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Induction programme

Cycle to Work scheme

Onsite café

Free tea/coffee for staff

Wellbeing room

Occupational Health Service

Job summary

Polden Bower School in Bridgwater invites applications for a Level 3 Apprentice Teaching Assistant. The role is a fixed-term contract starting 3 September 2026, 32.5 hours per week across term time plus INSET days. Salary approx.

£11,609 per year, with a supportive environment and strong development opportunities. The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent communication, resilience, and creativity, plus an understanding of how children with additional needs learn and the ability to

Qualifications

• Level 3 Apprenticeship in Teaching Assistant or equivalent
• Demonstrates understanding of how children with additional needs learn
• Good literacy and numeracy skills
• Good ICT skills
• Able to build professional relationships with children, families and staff

Skills

Excellent communication

Resilience

Flexibility

Empathy

Creativity

Understanding of additional needs

Literacy / numeracy / ICT

Education

Level 3 Apprenticeship (Teaching Assistant)

Tools

ICT skills

Job description

Level 3 Apprentice Teaching Assistant required at Polden Bower Special school due to the continued growth of our school. Fixed term contracts with a start date of 3 September 2026.

32.5 hours per week 39 Weeks per year. (Term time plus INSET days) Term time hours of work: Monday 08.45am - 4.45pm Tuesday - Friday 08.45am to 3.30pm.

Approximate annual salary £11,609 (monthly £967)

Polden Bower, is a 160-place special school and has the specialist resources needed to meet the needs of our students. state-of-the-art facilities for all the children and young people, this includes a warm water pool for physiotherapy; a sports hall; a sensory room; and fully accessible classrooms with the latest teaching technology. This is a very exciting time to be joining a growing Federation. We are working in partnership with Willow Vale School which is the PRU within Bridgwater.

We are looking for talented apprentice teaching assistants to join our growing team of staff. If you feel you have what it takes to work with us and feel passionate about meeting the needs of our student’s, we would very much like to hear from you.

You will be expected to demonstrate:

• Excellent communication skills
• Resilience, flexibility, empathy and creativity
• An understanding of how children and young people with additional needs learn
• Good literacy, numeracy and ICT skills
• Have the ability to build professional, positive and trusting relationships with children, young people and families

Apprenticeship Summary: Level 3

Expected Duration-18 Months with Somerset Skills & Learning

In return the school will offer the successful candidate:

• Full 10-day induction program and ongoing professional development
• Supportive staff team
• ‘My staff shop’ benefits which include Cycle to Work scheme
• Onsite subsidised café
• Provision of free tea/coffee for staff
• Wellbeing room and information on wellbeing approaches
• Access to Occupational Health Service

Enquiries and visits are warmly welcomed, please contact Jo Stamford on 01278 496386.

Polden Bower School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This appointment will be subject to enhanced DBS disclosure, medical clearance, proof of the right to work in the UK and satisfactory references.

Following the acceptance of your interview, an online check will be carried out as detailed in the latest Keeping Children Safe in Education guidelines.